My Brother's Wife 2: What The Heart Wants

by Mona

  “No disrespect, Mama Ro, but how the hell is sitting down with that nigga going to benefit me? And therapeutic? I walk in on him fucking my wife, and he’s the one who needs something therapeutic? No how about we do this, he stays the fuck away from me and he definitely stays the fuck away from my wife, and I will continue letting his ass live because we all know that I could have killed his ass,” Andre admitted in a cold tone.

  Rolonda stood up as she made her way to Andre. Standing face to face, she stared in his eyes momentarily before she spoke. “Dammit, Dre,” she spat. “I love you like a son. You’ve been a second son to me since you were seven. We are a family and as far as I’m concerned we will always be one. But, Mal, he’s still my son. Are you forgetting that?” Rolonda said in a low tone.

  Andre’s eyes softened for a moment as he placed both hands over his face. “Nah, I didn’t forget that and I apologize to you for being insensitive to your feelings,” Andre leaned over and kissed her cheeks as she smiled at him.

  “Okay,” she responded. “Will you at least consider sitting down talking to him?” Rolonda asked once again.

  Andre sighed as he sat back down in his chair. “I’m sorry, Mama Ro, that’s the one thing I can’t do. Now you know where we from, where we

  were raised, A nigga is not supposed to continue walking around breathing after the stunt Malachi pulled. Nah, he violated and I could no longer trust his ass. I been looking after him since we were seven years old. I saved his ass on more than one occasion, held him down for twenty fucking years and made sure he came home on some boss millionaire status, and he turns around and goes after my wife. I would have had more respect for him if he said, look I regret the decision I made and I’m still in love with Arianna.” Rolonda raised her brow as she looked at Andre.

  “Would that of made a difference?” She asked.

  “Hell fucking no,” he cockily replied.

  Desmond laughed as he shook his head.

  Andre laughed as well. “What the fuck he thought? That I was going to say, oh, here go your girl back, happy trails my nigga. I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought that shit for real. Mama Ro, you really need to get him some help, looks like that delusional problem he had before he was locked up has gotten worse.”

  “Well, Andre, based on your little confession during the argument you two had at your birthday party, I now know where his delusional disorder stems from. He didn’t have that problem before he was eight years old. Matter of fact, I need to know more about that. What really happened to Donald? I came home one day and all of his clothes were gone, and after I didn’t hear from him after a while I just assumed he left me which was always weird to me because I thought things were going well,” Rolonda said.

  “Well, things were not going well and that nigga was one sick bastard. I don’t have nothing else to say about it. If your son wants you to know more then he’ll tell you, but I’m done talking about it,” Andre firmly said.

  “Okay, I’ll accept that for now. Well, let me go see what the ladies are up to. Also, you two don’t forget the fundraising dinner I’m having for my church in a couple of weeks. I would really love if you and Ari still make it, Dre.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see what happens.” Andre replied.

  “Please Dre. I have some news I want to share with everyone. So it would mean a lot to me. I’ll make sure Malachi is seated far away from you, okay?” Rolonda edged on as she headed towards the door.

  “Yeah, aight. For you I’ll still make it, but I’m a tell you this right now, he better not come at me on some disrespectful shit or there’s no telling what may happen to his ass,” Andre informed her.

  Rolonda simply shook her head. “Lawd have mercy,” she mumbled as she exited the office.

  “You know what you doing looks like, right?” Desmond asked Andre.

  “What the hell you talking about?” Andre asked. “It looks like you don’t really want Ari but you holding on to her because you don’t want Mal to have her,” Desmond acknowledged.

  “Bullshit,” Andre retorted as he stood up.

  “Nigga, I’m just telling you what it looks like. Now, if you two are going to stay together and work things out then you going to have to find a way to get pass what happened. First, start with that ego of yours.” Desmond advised.

  “Man, once again, what the hell are you talking about?”

  “You know what I’m talking about. I know you, man. What’s really bothering you, is the fact she stepped out on you, period. You questioning yourself as far as you know?” Desmond paused as he slowly grinned.

  “Nah, I don’t fucking know. What the hell are you talking about?” Andre asked once again, becoming slightly annoyed.

  “You questioning if you putting it down as well as you always thought you had,” Desmond admitted and started laughing at the look on Andre’s face.

  “Nigga, I should kick your ass out of my house,” Andre retorted as they made their way towards the door. “I’m not questioning shit. Nothing change with my mindset. I puts it down.”

  “Yeah, okay if you say so...” Desmond concluded. He couldn’t stop laughing.

  Upstairs

  “Ari! Where are you? I want you to meet someone!” Ava called out as she entered Andre and Arianna’s bedroom. Placing the baby on the mini sofa, Ava was in total awe as she beamed at her son. Although she was still nervous about being a mom, she was ecstatic that she was granted a second chance and was able to get her son back. As she stared at him, she couldn’t deny how much he resembled Jason. He possessed Jason’s light butter like complexion, full pink colored lips and dark piercing eyes. He however inherited Ava’s dark curly hair.

  “You going to be mommy’s little heart heartbreaker aren’t you?”

  “Yeah, mommy’s heartbreaker,” he repeated Ava’s words in true two year old fashion.

  “Aww… my baby is talking,” Ava cooed as she kissed his chubby cheeks.

  “Girl, what are you talking about? He’s two years old, he’s supposed to be talking. Let me get a good look at him,” Rolonda stated as she entered the bedroom.

  “Isn’t he handsome?” Ava beamed.

  “Yes, very handsome despite the fact he looks like his daddy,” She said sarcastically and Ava busted out laughing.

  It was no secret, no one in the family cared much for Jason after the way he abandoned her at the alter. Ava would never admit it but she was deeply hurt, however, unbeknownst to every one else, what she discovered once she returned to the home she had shared with Jason hurt her even more.

  “Ava, what took you so long to get up here?” Arianna asked as she entered the room. She immediately brought her hands to her mouth as she was surprised to see Ava with the baby. “Oh my God! look at him! Awww. He is so cute. When did he get here?” Arianna asked as she scooped him off the sofa.

  “Well, I was on my way up here once I left Andre’s office, who by the way pissed me off so damn bad. Oh, that reminds me, I had something to tell you,” she suddenly said as she reached over and whispered something in Arianna’s ears that no one was able to hear. Once she pulled back, Arianna looked rather sheepish as she wore a faint smile. Ava smiled back at her as she continued with her original statement. “So, as I was saying, I was on my way up here when I heard the doorbell ring. My lawyer was a bit earlier than I expected, but here’s my baby,” Ava stated excitedly.

  “Aww. He’s so perfect. Reminds me of A.J. when he was this age. I just love babies,” Arianna said as hugged the baby.

  “Speaking of A.J. where is he?” Ava asked.

  “Well, Andre left him at my mom’s house prior to going to the beach-house yesterday; before everything took place…” Arianna’s voice trailed off as she once again looked slightly embarrassed.

  “Hey, stop looking like that. No one is judging you, okay. We are all women and trust me I’ve made my share of mistakes so I’m in no position to judge anyone,” Rolonda admitted and Arianna smiled.

  “You damn right about that
, Rolonda James. At fifty years old you are still the same back stabbing sneaky little bitch you were as a teenager,” Desmond’s mother Patrice, angrily protested as she entered the bedroom.

  Everyone glanced her way in total shock. “Whoa, auntie! My baby is here!” Ava warned her.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize the baby was already here.” Patrice apologized as she played with the baby while Arianna continued holding him. Briefly glancing over at Rolonda, she gave her a cold stare in which only the two of them understood what the tension between them was really about.

  “Not now, Patrice. Not without Ian and Malachi,” Rolonda pleaded.

  “In a couple of weeks, everyone will be at my church’s fundraiser. I will come clean about everything.”

  “Oh, that’s fine with me. You better tell them before I do. And you and Ian? Uuugh! You need a slap, Rolonda James.”

  “Okay, what’s going on with you two?” Ava asked confused.

  “Never mind that. You’ll find out soon enough. Now you, Ava, I didn’t finish cursing your behind out over the phone while you were in Florida. You better have a damn good reason for leaving town and going to have a baby without anyone knowing, and then gives him up for adoption. And Arianna, don’t get me started on you. You really done created some shit. I hope you can once again tame the beast in that crazy ass husband of yours. I swear it must be something in the water,” Patrice scolded.

  Arianna simply sighed as she continued playing with the baby. “Hey Ava, what’s the baby’s name? Or are we going to keep referring to him as the baby.”

  “Well, the couple who adopted him named him Calvin, so I guess that’s what we call him for now, but first thing Monday morning I’m going to fill out the paper work to have it change to my dad’s name.”

  “So, everybody decided to camp up here in my damn bedroom, huh?” Andre questioned as he and Desmond strolled in the bedroom. They greeted Patrice with a hug. Andre then smiled at his new nephew who was still comfortable in Arianna’s arms.

  “Look at lil’ man, sexy like his uncle,” Andre said proudly as he raised his hand to baby Calvin for a small hi-five, in which the baby happily obliged. Arianna smiled as she watched Andre played with him. One thing he truly was, is a damn good father. He loved his son more than anything in this world. She and Andre had spent the past seven years of their marriage trying to have another baby, but strangely it never happened. Several months ago they took the initiative and had themselves tested. The test proved they were fine as far as conceiving was concerned. Somehow, it remained a mystery as to why Arianna had not conceived as of yet.

  Andre continued playing with baby Calvin as he and Arianna’s eyes briefly locked. Arianna holding the baby, quickly brought a memory to his mind.

  “Did you take the pill?” He asked in a low tone.

  “Yes. I took both pill,” she answered as he continued staring at her.

  When he suggested the night before that she take the morning after pill, his reason for such request was fully understood and there were no words needed after that.

  “Hey, there you guys are. So, the party is up in here, huh?” Angeline walked in followed by Edward.

  “Okay, see, now there are way too many people in my room for real. It’s time to take this downstairs,” Andre demanded. Everyone laughed as Angeline and Edward greeted everyone with a warm hug.

  “Ed, I didn’t know you were still here in Jersey. I thought you were back in Brooklyn by now,” Patrice said.

  “Yeah, I decided to stay one more day to look into some details with Ava and Jason’s custody battle. Which reminds me, Ava, make sure you’re ready, Wednesday will be our first appearance in family court,” Edward advised.

  “Aren’t you a criminal lawyer?” Patrice asked him.

  “Yes, but Andre had me do some research on a couple of things regarding that fool Jason, and plus I want to support my little cousin,” Edward playfully patted Ava’s hair.

  “Hey, can you guys please not pat my hair like that anymore; like I’m a little kid. As you can see I am a mother now,” she boasted and everyone laughed again.

  “Yeah, well, thanks to this baby, looks like she’ll finally grow up a little and learn some responsibility,” Andre threw in his two cents and Ava rolled her eyes.

  “Anyway, let’s go downstairs and get something to eat. I think my little pookie is hungry by now,” Ava suggested and they all agreed. “Did Marie cook?” She asked, referring to the new nanny and housekeeper Arianna hired. Everyone headed for the bedroom door as Lorette and A.J. entered the bedroom.

  “Hey mom. I missed you,” Andre Junior immediately ran up to Arianna and hugged her.

  “I missed you too, baby,” Arianna responded with a smile. He then hugged everyone else as Lorette repeated the same gesture.

  “Is this my little cousin?” he asked as Arianna placed baby Calvin onto his two feet.

  “Yes it is.” Ava answered him as she smiled.

  “Finally, another boy around here besides dad and Des.” Andre Junior acknowledged.

  “My boy,” Andre bragged as they slapped five.

  As everyone made their exit, Lorette turned her attention to Arianna. “Arianna honey, I’ve been calling your cell phone. Did you get my calls? And what happened to your forehead?” Lorette asked as she noticed the knot on Arianna’s forehead, which was still slightly visible.

  An awkward silence fell upon the room. Lorette was the only one who was still unaware of the events that occurred the day before.

  “Mom, I’ll explain it to you downstairs, and as far as my phone is concerned, I think I left it at the beach house by mistake,” she clarified as her and Andre’s eyes briefly locked once again. Everyone then proceeded to exit the bedroom.

  “Hey, where’s uncle Mal? How come he’s the only one not here?” Andre Junior asked as Patrice let out an exaggerated groan.

  “Here we go…”

  Chapter Four

  The next day….. Marlboro, N.J.

  “Dre, remember you still have that assault and battery charge that’s still pending, which more than likely won’t be too hard to beat since you’ve never been in trouble with the law before,” Edward advised as Andre quickly entered the massive gates to his home.

  “Ed, I don’t know what the hell you telling me that for. I would never put my hands on her,” Andre admitted. He hastily jumped out of the car without barely putting it in park. Running to his front door with Edward on his heels, he entered his home and immediately made his way to the kitchen where he heard Arianna and Ava’s voices. Looking around, he did not notice baby Calvin and A.J. He was glad they were out of sight because he never wanted his son to witness any tension between him and Arianna. It was awkward enough last night answering his question in reference to why Malachi wasn’t present here with everyone else. Andre knew telling him uncle Malachi was sick was only temporary and that lie wouldn’t stick for too long. It would only be a matter of time before A.J. realized something wasn’t right with his parents.

  “Where’s the kids?” Andre asked as he entered the kitchen.

  “They’re outside with Marie,” Arianna answered as she noticed the look in his eyes and finally her cell phone in his hands. As he slowly walked over to her, just from his body language she knew more drama was brewing.

  “Take a look at this message,” he demanded as he placed her blackberry in her hands. As she proceeded to read the message on her phone, she quickly glanced at Ava who had an uneasy look on her face. Arianna cleared her throat and turned her attention to the text message. Her heart skipped a beat as she read it.

  Malachi: Riri, I hope you okay. I know shit is crazy, and I know it doesn’t seem like it but I really feel bad with what’s going on right now. I have so much I want to share with you about myself. About everything from the last twenty years, how much regrets I have. I wish I never turned you away that day, I wished I never asked Dre to be with you. At the time I did it because I was fucked up in the head from
being sentenced to twenty years and because I wanted you to end up with someone who wasn’t going to mistreat you. Even though Dre seemed like he hated you when we were kids, I always felt like his ass was faking it. Even though I was pissed with you, I still loved you so damn much and I wanted you to be happy. It hurt like hell knowing you knew what was going on with Candy and you didn’t tell me. All I kept thinking about was if I had known then everyone could of got together and we could of probably saved her. I loved my sister so much and when she died a part of me died with her, but another part of me felt alive because I still had you. I mean, I loved all the ppl in my life including my mom and Dre. I mean I have my own….

  Arianna slowly glanced up at Andre who was staring at her with cold, angry eyes. “Ohh there’s more. His messages have a whole lot of fucking characters so it gets cut off, but your man must have been in the zone when he was pouring his heart out because each time the message cuts, he continues with a new one. So go ahead click on the inbox, there’s more. Mothafucker sent you a whole 6 page letter and shit,” Andre coldly stated.

  Arianna cleared her throat once again as she clicked on the next message.

  Malachi: issues with Dre, but I still have love for him, But at the same time, man, I feel a little jealousy towards him because of how well he did for himself and had my mom living. I mean, I appreciate everything he’s done but I still wished it was me who could of provided for my moms. And then there’s you. He has given you the life that you deserve and I swear I wish it was me who did that. I don’t know no other female in the world who deserves the things Dre has given you or the life he has provided for you other than you. Baby, you turned out the way I always knew you would. And you grew up to be so beautiful and so damn sexy. Shit… I mean you were….

  Arianna felt as if she was on the verge of experiencing cardiac arrest because her heart was beating so damn fast. Briefly looking up, her eyes met with Andre’s and if looks could kill she would be one dead woman. Escaping his stare, she then clicked on the inbox and continued reading the rest of the message.